File folder



F. E. RU PF Dec. 20, 1932.

FILE FOLDE R Filed Feb. 23, 1932 ATTORNEYJ.

Patented Dec. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK E. RUPF, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO WILSON-JONES COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS FILE FOLDER Application led February 23, 1932. Serial No. 594,421.

l This invention relates to filing equipment and particularly an envelopetype of file foldefr intowhich is placed sheets or similar ari ticles that are held together by the folder and as the number of sheets is increased the folder expands until its maximum capacity is reached.

The preferred wayof .constructing a file folder to which this' invention pertains is to l A but showing a modified form of the mvenextend oneof the side walls thereof upwardly beyond theexpansible ends to provide a protecting flap which lies against the sheets contained in the folder. Ordinarily, a reenforcing sheetY is associated with one of the 'side walls of the folderrwhieh terminates before its uppermost edge is reached. The edge of this reenforcing sheet is objectionable in that it is struck by the edge of sheets being-placed into the folder, when it is on the inside of the Vfile folder, and engaged by the bottom of the next adjoining folder when the samev is' being moved to position.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a file folder having means forming a part thereof which functions as a guard against the aforementioned objectionable features. VBesides guarding theupper edge of the' reenforcing sheet, the structure constituting this invention serves to present a comparatively wide-zone of hinge which prolonge the life of the file folder by distributing, over a relatively wide area, the bending action imparted to one wall of the folder when sheets are being removed or placed.

More specifically, it .isy the aim of the instant invention to improve a previously well known. file folder by building thereinto an embossed bead which serves as a defiector and as a hinge to render the file folder moreeiiicient, longer lasting and very much more convenient and easy to use. Y

This invention contemplates many minor `objects which will be apparent from an un` derstanding of the following specification,

referring lto the accompanying drawing,

whereinz Figure 1'is a perspective view of a file folder embodying the features of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, cross section through the same, but with the flap disposed at an angle.

Fig; 3 vis a fragmentary, vertical section through a portion of the filefolder.

Fig. v4l is a fragmentary, sectional View 'Y through one corner of the file folder,illustrat ing the manner.v of assembling thel parts at that point, and,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3',

itis understood that practically any material from which the file folders are now made may be used.

With reference to the specific parts of the file folder illustrated herewith, the numerals 6 and 8 indicate side walls that are joined at their ends and one longitudinal edge by folding ends 10 and a similar folding, expansible bottom 12. These ends and the bottom 10 and 12 respectively are made inthe well known fashion to present an accordion-like structure to `permit a certain amount of expansion. Ends' 10. do. not extend the full length or height of side walls 6 and 8, but terminate substantially midway between the upper and lower longitudinal edges as sh own. In using the ile folder it is desirable to spread the upper part of the two walls to afford finger space. While it might be desirable to construct both walls so that each may be hinged or flexed, it is desirable to provide but` one wall with such quality.

v vV-all 6, therefore, is provided with ay reenforcing sheet 14 which entirely. overlies the inner side of wall 6, thereby stiflening the same so that it remainsrigid and in substany this member 18 that is moved from its normal plane when sheets of paper 20 are being inserted or removed to and from the file folder. When assembling the folder, ends 10 are made to present a securing margin 22 which extends inwardly between wall 8 and reenforcing sheet 16, and likewise between wall 6 and its reenforcing lining 14. It is the uppermost edge 24 of reenforcing sheet 16 that causes so much diiiiculty and is so troublesome when using file folders of the general character just described. Also, after flap 18 has been actuated a considerable number of times about a sharp line of scoring, the same becomes wea-k and sometimes tears apart to render the entire file virtually useless. An embossed bead 26 is formed in flap 18 immediately above edge 24 of reenforcing sheet 16. .In the preferred form, this bead is pressed inwardly and the same creates an arcuatezone of hinge extending entirely across wall 8 were iap portion 18 commences.

As illustrated in Fig. 3 the ridge or topmost portion 28 of bead 26 lies in a plane spaced inwardly beyond the planes of thel underlying securing margin 22 and reenforcing sheet 16. Bead 26 also forms an inclined face extending laterally and downwardly above edge 24 of sheet 16 -to guide the lower edge of any inserted sheet 20 away from edge `24 and to a point where it will not strike the same regardless of the position of flap 18. Obviously, smooth inner surfaces are presented on the side of both walls 6 and 8 which do not have any obstacles to render difficult the insertion or removal of sheets 20.

It has been found that a bead 26 properly embossedV or otherwise formed in iiap 18 at the line above mentioned will establish a hinge zone that does not break up the fibrous continuity ofthe material from which the folder is made. In other words, it might be stated that the formation of bead 26 to create a hinge does not weaken the material and when flap 18 is angled to a position from its normal plane, bending is distributed throughout thel entire arcuate bead 26.

In some instances it is desired to place reenforcing sheet 16 on the outer side of wall 8. When this is done the construction as shown in Fig. 5 is followed. rllhe folder is made in exactly the same manner as before set down to present folding ends joined to wall 52 that extends upwardly to form a flap 54 and reenforced by a sheet 56 glued or otherwise secured to the outer side of wall 52 from one 4edge of the wall to a line joining the tops of vends. 50. In this instance top edge 58 of reenforcing sheet 56 oftentimes is engaged by a similar file folder which is being moved to position alongside. Bead 60 in this instance is pressedo'utwardly to overlie edge 58 and to perform exactly the same function of deflecting adjacent files in a manner previously made clear. This bead 60 likewise forms a hinge wall to distribute the flexing strain.

The construction of a bead which performs the duties above outlined renders the file folder exceptionally free of operating troubles. A very undesirable and lone shortcoming of file folders is overcome by an extremely inexpensive structure that is not diiicult to build into the folder and which will not lose its effectiveness as the folder Vis used. As a matter of fact, wherever abrupt edges are to be guarded against being struck, a bead may be used without adding to the manufacturv ing cost or the number of parts that combine to make up a complete folder. The utilization of bead V26 or 60, as the case may be, to functionboth as a Zone of hinge and a deflecting member is especially Vunique and when combined with the other parts of the well known file holder, greatly enhancesthe same from many angles.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 1

1. In a'file folder, a vpair of sidewalls; ends andv a bottom connecting said walls; a reenforcing lining secured to one of 'said walls; aflap 'created by the extension of the reenforced wall beyond said lining; anda hinge Zoneformed across the flap having fan inclined face extending laterally and downwardly and overlyingthe upper edge of said lining. i

2. In a file folder, a pair of side walls; fold'- ing ends anda bottom connecting said walls; a reenforcing sheet secured to one of said walls; a flap created by the extension of the reenforced wall beyond said sheet; and a bead formed by the said flap adjacent the upper edge of said reenforcingsheet and overlying the said edge.` Y l 3. In a file folder, a pair of side walls; folding ends and a bottom connecting said walls; a reenforcing lining securedto the inner face of one of said walls; a iiap created by the extension ofthe reenforcing wall beyond saidlining;and an inwardly disposed bead formed across said flap above the upper edge of said lining and overlying the same.

4. In a file folder, a pair lof side walls; folding ends and a bottom connecting said walls a reenforcing sheet secured to the outer face of one of said walls; a flap created by the extension of the reenforced wall beyond said sheet; and an outwardly disposed bead formed across said flap above the upper edge of said sheet. c A .Y

5.v In a le folder, apair of side walls; folding ends and a bottom connecting said walls; a reenforcing lining secured to the inner face of one of said wall; a flap created by the extension of the reenforced wall beyond said lining; and an inwardly disposed bead formed across said flap above the upper edgey of said lining, said bead being'a height substantially greater than the thickness of the underlying reenforcing lining.

6. In a file folder; a pair of side walls; folding ends and a bottom connecting said Walls; a reenforcing sheet secured to one face of one of said Walls; a securing margin integral with each end between said reenforcing sheet and corresponding Wall; and a bead embossed across said corresponding wall above the said sheet and securing margin, the ridge of said bead being in a plane spaced beyond the planes of the underlying seouring margins and reenforcing sheet.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

FRANK E. RUPF. 

